Parents Guide to the of Boys

“The fastest game on two feet”

Tioga County Boys and Girls Club

Page 1 of 15 Table of Contents

Section Title Page Bill of Rights for Young Lacrosse Players 3

Role of Parents: National Youth Safety Foundation Code of Conduct 4

Role of the Coach 5

History of 6

Lacrosse Field (outdoor) 7

Positions 7

Equipment 8

Rules 10

Skills 11

Common Referee Signals 14

Glossary 14

Resources and Contacts 16

Page 2 of 15 If you like , lacrosse offers zone and man-to-man defenses, fast breaks and set plays, and its basic offensive maneuver is that hoops staple, pass and away from the . If you like soccer, lax has the precision passes and the ability to bring spectators to their feet with a goal -- except that fans can find themselves on their feet 20 times a game. If you like ice , the action and even the terminology are much the same in lacrosse, from face-offs to man advantages to setups behind the net. And if you're boy likes , they get to put on a and and hit somebody. (The difference, says legendary Syracuse coach Roy Simmons Jr., is that lacrosse "is not 11 guys coming out of a huddle knowing what's about to happen. It's more fanciful, imaginative and open.")

Page 3 of 15 Bill of Rights for Young Lacrosse Players

1. Every young lacrosse player has the right to participate in the sport of lacrosse. 2. Every young lacrosse player has the right to play in every game, regardless of physical ability or the relative importance of the game. 3. Every young lacrosse player has the right to play as a child, and be treated on a level appropriate with the emotional and physical maturity of the player’s age. 4. Every young lacrosse player has the right to participate in a safe and healthy environment. 5. Every young lacrosse player has the right to be taught the fundamentals of lacrosse by knowledgeable adult leadership. 6. Every young lacrosse player has the right to have a coach who is more concerned with fun, social interaction and skill development than winning. 7. Every young lacrosse player has the right to have a coach who is supportive and patient, who takes the time to work with each player, and who allows players to make mistakes. 8. Every young lacrosse player has the right to be treated with respect and dignity by coaches and other players. 9. Every young lacrosse player has the right to report to the coach any physical pain or emotional concerns without fear of rejection or ridicule. 10. Every young lacrosse player has the right to have fun.

Page 4 of 15 The Role of Parents

You, the parent, are equally as important to your child’s positive lacrosse experience as the coach of the team. In order for your child to get the most out of playing lacrosse, it is important that you do the following:

1. Read and sign the enclosed National Youth Sports Foundation Code of Conduct form. 2. Be supportive of your child by giving encouragement and showing an interest in his/her team. 3. Positive reinforcement encourages learning and fun. Research has shown that a ratio of 5 positive statements (compliments, positive recognition) for each negative statement (criticisms, corrections) is ideal for helping athletes do their best. Try to maintain a 5:1 ratio in your comments to your child. 4. Attend games whenever possible. If you cannot attend, ask how your child did, not whether the team won or lost. Some questions that you might ask before asking about the final score include: “Did you try as hard as you could? Did you have fun? Did you learn anything today that might make you a better player in the future?” 5. Be a positive role model by displaying good sportsmanship at all times to coaches, officials, opponents and your child’s teammates. “Honoring the Game” is an important part of what US Lacrosse stands for. Help us by honoring the game in your behavior as a spectator. 6. Let your child set his own goals and play the game for himself. Be your child’s “home court advantage” by giving him or her, your unconditional support regardless of how well he or she performs. 7. Let the coach “coach”. Refrain from giving your child advice when he or she is playing. Use positive reinforcement with your child’s coach. Let the coach know when he or she is doing a good job. 8. Respect the decisions of the referee or umpire. This is an important part of honoring the game. 9. Your child will pay more attention to how you act than to what you say. 10. Read the rulebook. A full understanding of the rules will help you enjoy the game and educate others. 11. Get to know who is in charge. Meet with the leadership of the program to discuss topics such as cost, practice and game scheduling, insurance coverage, emergency procedures, etc. 12. Get involved. Volunteer. 13. Sit back and enjoy the game! Remember, lacrosse is played for FUN !!

A great way to support your child’s lacrosse experience is by becoming a volunteer for the lacrosse program. It’s best to get started when your child first signs up for lacrosse, so that you both can start together.

Page 5 of 15 Volunteers are almost always needed to help with the following:

• Coach or assist the coach • Organize coach and player clinics • Keep score • Organize carpooling for practices and • Run the clock games • Line the fields • Assist during registration • Manage equipment • Photograph players at games

The Role of the Coach

Our coaching staff is committed to the principles of Positive Coaching and will work with the mission to transform youth sports so sports can transform youth. Our coaching staff wants every player to enjoy their experience with the sport of lacrosse and to learn positive character lessons that will help them in every aspect of their life. We expect our coaches to embody a Positive Coaching mentality, including the following:

1. A Positive Coach is a positive motivator and refuses to motivate through fear, intimidation or shame. He establishes order and discipline in a positive manner. 2. A Positive Coach works to remain positive even through losing streaks. He recognizes that it is often when things go wrong that a coach can have the most positive impact and teach the most important lessons. Regardless of the adversity involved, he refuses to demean himself or his players by resorting to fear, intimidation or shame. He always treats athletes with respect regardless of how well they perform. 3. A Positive Coach coaches for mastery rather than victory, which he sees as a by-product of the pursuit of excellence. He focuses on effort rather than outcome, learning rather than comparison to others. 4. A Positive Coach recognizes that mistakes are an important and inevitable part of learning and encourages an environment in which players are willing to risk making a mistake. 5. A Positive Coach sets standards of continuous learning and improvement for himself and his players. He encourages and inspires his players, whatever their talent level, to strive to get better without threatening them. He is committed to becoming the best coach he can be and continually seeks to improve his own effectiveness. 6. A Positive Coach “Honors the Game”. He feels an obligation to the sport he coaches. He loves his sport and shares his love and enjoyment with his players. He feels privileged to be able to take part in his sport. 7. A Positive Coach respects his opponents, recognizing that a worthy opponent will push his team to do their best. 8. A Positive Coach understands the important role that officials play and strives to show them respect even when he disagrees with their decisions. 9. A Positive Coach values the rich tradition of his sport and works to honor the spirit as well as the letter of its rules. 10. A Positive Coach demonstrates personal integrity and would rather lose than win by dishonoring the game. Dishonoring the game is worse than defeat.

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The History of Field Lacrosse

With a history that spans centuries, lacrosse is the oldest continuously played sport in . The sport is rooted in Native American religion and was often played to resolve disputes, heal the sick and develop strong, virile men. To some Native Americans, lacrosse is still referred to as “The Creators Game.” Ironically, lacrosse also served as a substitute for war. Stories tell of as many as 1,000 players per side, from the same or different tribes, who took turns engaging in a violent contest the Algonquians called baaga’adowe (baag means hit, a means be an instrument, adow means ball and e is an abstract ending to the word).

Contestants played on a field as much as 15 miles in length and games sometimes lasted for days. Some tribes used a single pole, tree or rock for a goal, while other tribes had two goalposts through which the ball had to pass. were made out of wood, deerskin, baked clay or stone. The evolution of the Native American game into modern lacrosse began in 1636 when Jean de Brebeuf, a Jesuit missionary, drew attention to a Huron contest in what is now southeast , Canada. At that time, some type of lacrosse was played by tribes scattered throughout what is now southern Canada and all parts of the United States.

French pioneers began playing the game avidly in the early 1800s. Canadian dentist W. George Beers standardized the game in 1867 with the adoption of set field dimensions, limits to the number of players per team and other basic rules. fielded the nation’s first college team in 1877, and Philips Andover Academy (Mass.), Philips Exeter Academy (N.H.) and the Lawrenceville School (N.J.) were the nation’s first high school teams in 1882. There are currently over 600 college and 2000 high school lacrosse teams from coast to coast and has been growing every year.

The first women’s lacrosse game was played in 1890 at the St. Leonard’s School in Scotland. Although an attempt was made to start women’s lacrosse at Sweet Briar College (V.A.) in 1914, it was not until 1926 that Miss Rosabelle Sinclair established the first women’s lacrosse team in the United States at the Bryn Mawr School in , MD.

Men’s and women’s lacrosse were played under virtually the same rules, with no protective equipment, until the mid-1930’s. At that time, men’s lacrosse began evolving dramatically, while women’s lacrosse continued to remain true to the game’s original rules. Men’s and women’s lacrosse remain derivations of the same game today, but are played under different rules. Women’s rules limit stick contact, prohibit body contact and, therefore, require little protective equipment. Men’s lacrosse rules allow some degree of stick and body contact, although violence is neither condoned nor allowed.

Field lacrosse is sometimes perceived to be a violent and dangerous game, however, injury statistics prove otherwise. While serious injuries can and do occur in lacrosse, the game has evolved with an emphasis on safety and the rate and severity of injury are comparatively low to other contact sports. Played by “boys” and “girls” who range in age from six to sixty, lacrosse is one of the fastest growing team sports in the United States.

In recent years, lacrosse has experienced unprecedented growth throughout the world. A unique combination of speed, skill, agility, grace, endurance, finesse, and historical significance, lacrosse may just be, according to basketball inventor James Naismith, “the best of all possible field games.”

Page 7 of 15 Boy’s Lacrosse Field

Boys Lacrosse Field Positions

Attack The attackman’s responsibility is to score goals. The attackman generally restricts his play to the offensive end of the field. A good attackman demonstrates excellent stick work with both hands and has quick feet to maneuver around the goal. Each has three* attackmen on the field during play.

Midfield The midfielder’s responsibility is to cover the entire field, playing both offense and defense. The midfielder is a key to the transition game, and is often called upon to clear the ball from defense to offense. A good midfielder demonstrates good stick work including throwing, catching and scooping. Speed and stamina are essential. Each team has three* midfielders on the field.

Defense The defenseman’s responsibility is to defend the goal. The defenseman generally restricts his play to the defensive end of the field. A good defenseman should be able to react quickly in game situations. Agility and aggressiveness are necessary, with emphasis on footwork and communication with the other defensemen. Each team has three* defensemen on the field.

Goalie The goalie’s responsibility is to protect the goal and stop the opposing team from scoring. A good goalie also leads the defense by reading the situation and directing the defensemen to react. A good goalie should have excellent hand/eye coordination and a strong voice. Quickness, agility, confidence and the ability to concentrate are also essential. Each team has one goalie in the goal during play.

* The number of players on the field at each position can vary with the age and skill level of the players.

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Equipment for Boys

The Crosse The crosse () is made of wood, laminated wood or synthetic material, with a shaped net pocket at the end. The stick must be a minimum* of 40” in overall length.

An overall length of 40-44 inches is normal for attackmen and midfielders, or 52-72 inches for defensemen. The head of the stick must be 6.5-10 inches wide, except a goalie’s stick which may be 10-12 inches wide.

The pocket of a stick shall be deemed illegal if the top surface of a , when placed in the head of the crosse, is below the bottom edge of the side wall.

*The overall length of the stick may be less than 40” at certain age levels. The Ball The ball is made of solid rubber and can be white, yellow or orange. The ball is 7.75-8 inches in circumference and 5-5.25 ounces. Most of the time a white ball is used for boys field lacrosse. The Helmet A protective helmet, equipped with face mask, chin pad and a cupped four point chin strap fastened to all four hookups must be worn by all players.

All and face masks must be NOCSAE (National Operating Committee on Standards for

Athletic Equipment) approved.

The Mouthpiece The mouthpiece must be a highly visible color and is mandatory.

The All players are required to wear protective gloves. The cutting or altering of gloves is prohibited.

Shoulder Pads All players except the goalie must wear .

Arm Pads/ Elbow Pads All players except the goalie must wear arm pads.

Page 9 of 15 Rib Pads Protects the rib cage from errant checks

Special Goalie Equipment

Chest Protector

Throat Protector Straps onto the helmet to protect the throat area

Lacrosse Rules for Boys

The following describes FIELD lacrosse (not indoor, or “box” lacrosse)

Boys (men’s) lacrosse is a contact game played by ten* players: a goalie, three defensemen, three midfielders and three attackmen. The object of the game is to shoot the ball into the opponent’s goal and to keep the other team from scoring. The team scoring the most goals wins.

Each team must keep at least four players, including the goalie, in its defensive half of the field and three in its offensive half. Three players (midfielders) may roam the entire field. A defenseman can roam into the offensive end of the field as long as another player (usually a midfielder) stays back in his defensive end of the field. When you hear the shout “middie back!”, this usually means a defenseman intends to cross the midfield line and a midfielder should stay back on defense.

Collegiate games are 60 minutes long, with 15-minute quarters. Generally, high school games are 48 minutes long, with 12-minute quarters. Likewise, youth games are 32 minutes long, with eight-minute quarters. Each team is given a two-minute break between the first and second quarters, and the third and fourth quarters. Halftime is 10 minutes long. Teams change sides between periods. Each team is permitted two timeouts each half. The team winning the coin toss chooses the end of the field it wants to defend first.

The players take their positions on the field: Four in the defensive clearing area, one at the center, two in the wing areas and three in their attack goal area.

Men’s lacrosse begins with a face-off. The ball is placed on the ground between the sticks of two squatting players at the center of the field. The official blows the whistle to begin play. Each face-off player tries to control the ball. The players in the wing areas can run after the ball when

Page 10 of 15 the whistle sounds. The other players must wait until one player has gained possession of the ball, or the ball has crossed a goal area line, before they can release.

Center face-offs are also used at the start of each quarter and after a goal is scored. Field players must use their crosses (sticks) to pass, catch and run with the ball. Kicking the ball is legal however only the may the ball with his hands. A player may gain possession of the ball by dislodging it from an opponent’s crosse with a stick check. A stick check is the controlled poking and slapping of the stick and gloved hands of the player in possession of the ball.

STICK CHECKING MAY NOT BE ALLOWED DEPENDING ON AGE AND SKILL LEVEL OF PLAYERS.

*Less than 10 players may be used at certain age/skill levels.

Body checking is permitted if the opponent has the ball or is within five yards of a loose ball. All body contact must occur from the front or side, above the waist and below the shoulders, and with both hands on the stick. Cross-checking, or hitting an opponent with the section of the stick between the hands, is illegal. An opponent’s crosse may also be stick checked if it is within five yards of a loose ball or ball in the air. Aggressive body checking is discouraged.

BODY CHECKING MAY NOT BE ALLOWED DEPENDING ON AGE AND SKILL LEVEL OF PLAYERS.

If the ball or a player in possession of the ball goes out of bounds, the other team is awarded possession. If the ball goes out of bounds after an unsuccessful shot, the player nearest to the ball when and where it goes out of bounds is awarded possession.

An attacking player cannot enter the crease around the goal, but may reach in with his stick to scoop a loose ball.

Typically, a referee, umpire and field judge supervises field play. A chief bench official, timekeepers and scorers assist. At certain age and skill levels less officials are used/required. There are personal fouls and technical fouls in boys lacrosse. The penalty for a personal foul results in a one-to-three minute suspension from play and possession to the team that was fouled. Players with five personal fouls are ejected from the game. The penalty for a technical foul is a 30-second suspension if a team is in possession of the ball when the foul is committed, or possession of the ball to the team that was fouled if there was no possession when the foul was committed.

Skills For Boys

Catching The act of receiving a passed ball with the crosse. Checking The act of attempting to dislodge the ball from an opponent’s stick. The act of moving the ball from the Defensive side of the field to the Offensive Clearing side of the field. The coordinated motion of the arms and wrists that keeps the ball secure in the Cradling pocket and ready to be passed or shot when running. A movement by an offensive player without the ball, toward the opponent’s Cutting goal, in anticipation of a feed and shot.

Page 11 of 15 Feeding Passing the ball to a teammate who is in position for a shot on goal. Passing The act of throwing the ball to a teammate with the crosse. A stick check in which the player pokes the head of his stick at an opponent’s Poke Check stick through the top hand by pushing with the bottom hand. A stick check in which a player slaps the head of his stick against his Slap Check opponents stick. Scooping The act of picking up a loose ball with the crosse. An offensive tactic in which a player near the crease positions himself so as to Screening block the goalkeeper’s view of the ball. The act of throwing the ball with the crosse toward the goal in an attempt to Shooting score.

Personal Fouls for Boys

Occurs when a player’s stick contacts an opponent in any area other than Slashing the stick or gloved hand on the stick. Occurs when a player obstructs his opponent at or below the waist with the Tripping crosse, hands, arms, feet or legs. Occurs when a player uses the handle of his crosse between his hands to Cross Checking make contact with an opponent Unsportsmanlike Occurs when any player or coach commits an act which is considered Conduct unsportsmanlike by an official, including taunting, arguing, or obscene language or gestures. Unnecessary Occurs when a player strikes an opponent with his stick or body using Roughness excessive or violent force. Occurs when a player uses a crosse that does not conform to required Illegal Crosse specifications. A crosse may be found illegal if the pocket is too deep or if any other part of the crosse was altered to gain an advantage. Occurs when any of the following actions takes place: 1. Body checking an opponent who is not in possession of the ball or within five yards of a loose ball; 2. Avoidable body check of an opponent after he has passed or shot the ball; Illegal Body 3. Body checking an opponent from the rear or at or below the Checking waist; 4. Body checking an opponent above the shoulders. A body check must be below the shoulders and above waist, and both hands of the player applying the body check must remain in contact with his crosse. Occurs when a player uses gloves that do not conform to required specifications. A glove will be found illegal if the fingers and palms are cut Illegal Gloves out of the gloves, or if the glove has been altered in a way that compromises its protective features.

Technical Fouls for Boys

Holding Illegally impedes the movement of an opponent with the ball. Occurs when a player interferes in any manner with the free movement of an opponent, except when that opponent has possession of the ball, the Interference ball is in flight and within five yards of the player, or both players are within five yards of a loose ball.

Page 12 of 15 Occurs when a team does not have at least four players on its defensive Offsides side of the midfield line or at least three players on its offensive side of the midfield line. Occurs when a player thrusts or shoves a player from behind. Two types: Pushing 1. Loose ball push – other team gains possession of the ball 2. Push with possession – 30sec penalty Occurs when an offensive player moves into and makes contact with a Screening defensive player with the purpose of blocking the man he is defending. Occurs when a team intentionally holds the ball, without conducting normal Stalling offensive play, with the intent of running time off the clock. Occurs when a player in possession of the ball uses his free hand or arm to Warding Off hold, push or control the direction of an opponent’s stick check. Occurs when a player clamps a loose ball against the ground more than Withholding the momentarily or clamps the ball against his body to prevent it from being Ball From Play dislodged.

Common Referee Signals

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Glossary of Terms for Boys Lacrosse

Attack Goal Area The area around the goal defined by the endline, the Goal Area Line and the two broken lines located 20 yards on either side of the goal. Once the offensive team crosses the midfield line, it has 10 seconds to move the ball into its attack goal area.

Body Check Contact with an opponent from the front – between the shoulders and waist – when the opponent has the ball or is within five yards of a loose ball.

Box An area used to hold players who have been served with penalties, and through which substitutions “on the fly” are permitted directly from the sideline onto the field.

Check-Up A call given by the goalie to tell each defender to find his man and call out his number.

Clamp A face-off maneuver executed by quickly pushing the ball of the stick on top of the ball.

Clearing Running or passing the ball from the defensive half of the field to the attack goal area.

Crease A circle around the goal with a radius of nine feet into which only defensive players may enter.

Crosse (stick) The equipment use to throw, catch and carry the ball.

Defensive Clearing Area The area defined by a line drawn sideline to sideline 20 yards from the face of the goal. Once the defensive team gains possession of the ball in this area it has 10 seconds to move the ball beyond the Goal Area Line. Once beyond the Goal Area Line, the defensive team may not pass or run the ball back into the Defensive Clearing Area.

Extra Man Offense (EMO) A man advantage that results from a timeserving penalty.

Face-off A technique used to put the ball in play at the start of each quarter, or after a goal is scored. The players squat down and the ball is place between their crosses.

Fast-Break A transition scoring opportunity in which the offense has at least a one-man advantage.

Ground Ball A loose ball on the playing field.

Handle (shaft) An aluminum, wooden or composite pole connected to the head of the crosse.

Page 14 of 15 Head The plastic or wood part of the stick connected to the handle.

Man Down Defense (MDD) Situation that results from a timeserving penalty which causes the defense to play with at least a one man disadvantage.

Midfield Line The line which bisects the field of play.

On-The-Fly Substitution A substitution made during play.

Pick An offensive maneuver in which a stationary player attempts to block the path of a defender guarding another offensive player.

Pocket The strung part of the head of the stick which holds the ball.

Rake A face-off move in which a player sweeps the ball to the side.

Riding The act of trying to prevent a team from clearing the ball.

Release The term used by an official to notify a penalized player in the box that he may re-enter the game.

Unsettled Situation Any situation in which the defense is not positioned correctly, usually due to a loose ball or broken clear.

Resources and Contacts US Lacrosse www.uslacrosse.org The national governing body for men’s and women’s lacrosse

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